Question NW3629 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
10 November 2023 - NW3629
Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1).Whether, with reference to the processes to change geographical names, there is a specified threshold of support that is required to implement a geographical name change; if not, on what basis is the decision taken to change geographical names; if so, what is the required threshold of support. (2). Whether a name change is implemented on the basis of one individual application only; if not, what is the basis for determining that sufficient support exists for a name to be changed; if so, what are the relevant details. (3). whether a name change process will proceed if the application for the name change does not comply with the Handbook on Geographical Names in terms of the proposed name; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details. (4). (a) on what grounds will the Protection of Personal Information Act, Act 4 of 2013, be invoked to maintain the confidentiality of the applicant and (b) what is the step-by-step process that is followed, including time frames and minimum adherence requirements that are followed from receipt of the application to the final decision by him as the Minister?
Reply:
(1). The South African Geographical Names Act 118 of 1998 does not specify a threshold requirement for the support for a name change. The Provincial Geographical Names Committees in the provinces where the name concerned is located always host public consultation meetings in the local communities. These meetings are advertised in advance and minutes and attendance registers are kept. The decisions are taken based on the count of a simple majority of people who attended the public consultation meetings where the proposed names are put to the attendees.
(2). Individual South African citizens or a group of citizens can propose a name change in terms of the South African Geographical Council Act, Act No 118 of 1998. The Minister considers the application together with relevant accompanying details including the motivation for the name change, the evidence of public consultation and where applicable, written permission from the family after whom the geographical feature is proposed to be named.
(3). All geographical features approved by the Minister for change are done in terms of the SAGNC Act 118 of 1998. The Handbook is a users’ guide derived from the Act. All names changed do follow the guidance of the Handbook on Geographical Names. In instances where the proposed name is that of a person, written permission from the affected family is required before the name change is submitted to the Minister for his consideration.
(4)(a). The POPIA Act is also invoked when a PAIA request or Parliamentary Question is made to the Department that includes personal details of applicants, informants in relation to a geographical feature application.
(b). When a geographical feature or place name is proposed for change, a prescribed South African Geographical Names Council application form needs to be completed by the applicant who must be a South African citizen. The application form is submitted to the relevant Provincial Geographical Names Committee (PGNC) in the relevant province. The PGNC will do desktop research to check if the proposed name is a
national feature, is not a duplication of an existing name, is not undesirable in terms of race, gender. The PGNC will then put out local advertisements in community radio stations and local print media informing the local community of public consultation meetings with details like the dates, venues, and times for the public consultation meetings. The PGNC will host the public consultation meetings during which the community will discuss the proposed name changes. Attendance registers and minutes are kept during these meetings. In instances the new name is the name of a person, the family of the person after whom the geographical feature will be named, written permission from that family is required. It is desirable that the local municipality concerned is also consulted in order for it to indicate its support for the name change.
A simple majority of meeting attendees is required for the name change to be supported at the local community level. Once the PGNC is satisfied that there is community support for the name change and that all required documentation like proof of community meetings, with attendance registers and minutes, the information is submitted to the South African Geographical Names Council. The SAGNC sits once a quarter to consider all geographical names applications submitted to it. The SAGNC reviews all the documentation including the application form, evidence of public consultations, attendance registers and minutes of meetings. The SAGNC will also require PGNCs to provide evidence that public consultation meetings were advertised to local communities.
Letters from affected family members will also be reviewed. Once the SAGNC is satisfied that the due process was followed and that all documentation is provided, it will recommend the name change to the Minister. The relevant documentation will be submitted to the Minister who will apply his mind before taking the decision to either approve or not approve the name change application. Once the Minister has taken a decision, the name is put in the government gazette for public information. The public has thirty days after the gazetting of a name change to submit objections in writing to the Minister. This is in terms of section 10 of the SAGNC Act 118 of 1998. The Minister
will consider all objections and respond to all objectors in writing whether to reverse the name change or sustain his initial decision to approve the name change. This concludes the process.